THE Government has a "moral duty" to support victims of the "greatest NHS treatment disaster" who were infected with hepatitis C by health service blood, it was claimed yesterday.

Some 73pc of people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C by NHS blood products have seen their family or social life suffer, according to new research unveiled in the House of Lords.

Around 5,000 people with haemophilia in the UK were infected with hepatitis C through the use of contaminated blood clotting concentrates given as part of their NHS treatment.

A survey for the Haemophilia Society found that as a result of their infection, more than 20pc were unable to work, and almost half had to cut down work or give it up altogether.

Almost 50pc said their earnings had decreased or failed to rise since they were diagnosed. Families were further affected as men in this situation are unable to get life insurance (40pc), travel insurance (17pc), a pension (11pc) or a mortgage (14pc).

Lord Morris of Manchester, a health minister under Labour between 1974 and 1979 and president of the Haemophilia Society, called on the Government to provide financial assistance for this group of people.

A spokesman for the Haemophilia Society said, "Between 1969 and 1985, 95pc of people with haemophilia contracted hepatitis C or the HIV virus from contaminated blood products on the NHS.

"Those with HIV have been given financial assistance but there has been no payment for the 4,865 who got hepatitis C. Aside from the medical costs, this shows there is a financial impact on this group."